My quest for a Miata seating solution continues. Being unable to find Lotus Elise seats, I eventually purchased a set of Corbeau LE Pro seats and installed them.
They're nice, but unfortunately the headrest is not quite as high as I would like - I didn't realize that they were lower than Elise seats. The overall height of the seats is 84cm, or about 33 inches. Stock Elise seats are 92 cm, or about 36 inches (assuming that they're the same as the Corbeau LE Standard, which I believe them to be. I know that 914 seats have been installed in Miatas, and they are readily available and cheap. How high is the headrest on them? I'd like to avoid repeating the same mistake twice, if possible.
Also - if anyone has a set of stock Elise seats and would like to trade, let me know. That's the ideal solution.
I don't have them available to measure, but here's how they sit in a Miata so you can see them relative to the rear deck. They're installed pretty low in the car.
When I was looking for 914 seats for the RX-7 they were around $500 a side. I can buy new Recaros for $350 a pop, but they don't have that 1970s vibe that an RX-7 deserves.
(It's for my '81. The PO installed seats from a later car, and they look "wrong" to me)
I paid $50 for the pair in that picture. It's about finding the right source 
Thanks Keith. Relative to the seat belt tower, they look a good bit taller. Worth taking a drive to sit in some at least - there's a ratty $100 set an hour or so away that I could reupholster.
As for cost - these Corbeaus were.....more than the apparently mint set of 914 seats that knurled was looking at, and it's difficult or impossible to find Elise seats for any price. There's a stained set on eBay right now asking 1250, which seems around market price. The options are limited and frustrating for something that is low, comfortable, and compatible with stock belts and a lack of steering wheel quick release.
When you do sit in them, keep in mind that they will accept a foamectomy. If I were doing it again, I'd be tempted to throw some Confor form in the base.
I was looking for 914 seats last spring and I was having a really hard time finding any through all the usual Porsche routes. I think the supply may be drying up.
Find a guy who races 914s. He’ll have some that he yanked out when building/parting racers. Not the concours guys.
Keep in mind that the passenger's seat in the early cars is basically a padded firewall and a base cushion. You may need to look for two driver's seats.
I will freely admit that I've spent a lot of time thinking about the idea of a padded firewall and base cushion for the driver's side of a Miata. Or just a bag seat.
A customer of ours has a set of the Corbeau LEs in his car, and it's not far off just having a padded firewall/base! He's a big guy, but he's made it work.
cmcgregor said:
Being unable to find Lotus Elise seats, I eventually purchased a set of Corbeau LE Pro seats and installed them...They're nice, but unfortunately the headrest is not quite as high as I would like - I'd like to avoid repeating the same mistake twice, if possible.
I might be interested in picking up your Corbeaus if you decide to sell. Looking for low-profile seats for my TR6 project.
Besides those 914 seats, you might want to look into custom seats by Intratrim ( http://www.intatrim.co.uk ). Very popular with the Caterham/Westfield crowd in the UK. Several designs, including high-back options. Many designs are offered in wide and narrow widths. You can spec harness slots or plain. Also, some of the low-back options can have headrests added. Basic prices are quite affordable: like 350-500 GBP for a PAIR of seats. If you start adding options (leather, multiple colors, quilted stitching, contrast piping, seat heaters, etc.) then prices start to rise.
As an example, here's a pair of "slim fit" Odyssey seats in a Super 7 build:
Thanks all. The intatrim seats are really interesting - any idea how much of a hassle they are to import?
These seats are honestly really great - they would be completely perfect if the headrest was just 2" higher. They have good support, harness grommets, and are still usable in a daily, since you can actually get in and out of them.
I'll keep an eye out for the later 914 seats, since the bench is obviously not going to work in a Miata!
